World cities and their pivotal roles in sustainability transition

Milano, 14 ottobre 2022

The city is one of the most successful products of the human species. A social phenomenon that developed thousands of years ago almost simultaneously in different parts of the world, cities have multiplied, growing in number, size, adapting and evolving over time driven by changes in the economy, society and the environment. According to the most recent data provided by the United Nations, about 55% of the world's population lives in towns and cities, a percentage that is expected to increase to 70% by 2050. Impressive numbers when one considers that although cities occupy less than 2% of the world's territory, they produce 80% of GDP and over 70% of carbon emissions. 

Today, local governments are certainly in the best position to address and solve environmental challenges while ensuring a good quality of life for their citizens. Traditionally, cities have been crucial in the areas of waste and water management, public and personal transport, and efficient land use through the implementation of integrated urban planning. Today, cities are also at the forefront of climate change adaptation and ecosystem conservation and restoration. Cities can really become key driving forces for an ecological and equitable transition, provided, however, that they are actively involved in the decision-making process as in the best global experiences that we want to tell with Fiera Milano.

EVENT PROGRAM*

Chairperson: Giovanni Battista Todini, Director - Askanews

11:30   Welcome

Matteo Favero, Chiarman of Globe Italia 

Yuji Amamiya, Consul General of Japan in Milan

11:40   Introduction to the debate 

Piero Pelizzaro, Scientific Director of Globe Italia, former Un Cop26 Milan City Resilience Officer

Mario Giordano, Representative - Milano Smart City Alliance 

Yasuto Sasaki, Director - Air Mobility Business Creation Department Japan Airlines 

Risa Sato, Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town Promotion Manager - Panasonic Operational Excellence

12:15   Debate

Kenta Hattori, Chief Senior - Department of Smart City Strategy Osaka Prefectural Government

Roberto Miguel Quintas, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility City of Cape Town 

Barbara Pons, Urban planning Advisor - Barcelona City Council 

Gonzalo García Méndez, Head of Infrastr.-Transport Division - Santiago de Chile Metropolitan Regional Gov.

Giorgio Gori, Mayor - City of Bergamo 

13:00   Closing

Luca Palermo, CEO - Fiera Milano